MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI ANNOUNCE PLANS TO COMMEMORATE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11th ATTACK

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki today announced New York City's plans to commemorate the third anniversary of the September 11th attack. As with previous ceremonies, the observance will take place at the World Trade Center site on the morning of September 11th. Parents and grandparents will play a large role in this year's ceremony by reading the names of the victims, while music will provide a backdrop throughout the program. The ceremony will pause at four moments - twice to mark the times that each plane hit the towers, and twice to mark each time when each tower fell. The first moment of silence will be at 8:46 AM and as always, houses of worship will be encouraged to toll their bells at that time. While the names are read, family members will be able to descend the ramp to the lowest level of the site where they may lay flowers. The ceremony will conclude at approximately noon, however, the site will remain open to families until 4:00 PM.

At sundown, the "Tribute in Light" will again return for one night, in memory of those lost and as a symbol of the spirit of our community. The "Tribute in Light" is brought back each year for one night on September 11th.

"Since the first, solemn anniversary of 9/11, we have seen many changes at the World Trade Center Site," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Most recently, we laid the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower, an event that honored the liberties that are the bedrock of our nation. It was a moment that marked a promise kept - that we will continue to rebuild this great City to honor the memory of those lost in the terrible attacks of September 11th. This anniversary, the hearts and minds of our City, our country and freedom-loving people from around the world, will again turn toward the World Trade Center site. We are forever mindful of the grief still felt by the families, and heartfelt in our desire to honor the heroes of that day. We plan to mark this anniversary by asking parents and grandparents to take the lead in this year's ceremony, to acknowledge their great sacrifice and thank them for helping all of us to shoulder the loss, as our parents and grandparents are the foundation of our lives."

"New Yorkers and people from around the world will always remember that on September 11th those who believe in freedom overcame those who believe in fear," said Governor Pataki. "As we approach this third anniversary and continue to rebuild our City by reclaiming our skyline through the Freedom Tower, and building a fitting memorial, we are reminded that all that we do to renew Lower Manhattan is done in tribute to the lives we lost. This year we will recognize that heroes learn about sacrifice and courage from their families. Parents and grandparents will lead us in honoring the memory of the heroes we lost, just as they helped guide us through that dark day and gave us the strength we needed to rebuild. I have asked for a statewide moment of silence and ringing of bells at 8:46 AM, so that together all New Yorkers, as well as people from across the country, and around the world can honor the memory of those we lost and remember the spirit of freedom that prevailed on that day."

Details about both the morning and evening event will be released in early September. As with previous commemoration events, priority will be given to the families of those who died on September 11th but public access will be permitted as space allows. Information about access, transportation, and other logistics for the day will be disseminated to the families through the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit. An outline of the commemoration program is as follows but details are subject to change:

Early AM

Guests begin to gather at the World Trade Center site
Program begins
Introduction of statewide moment of silence

8:46 AM

Moment of silence (observance of time first plane struck North Tower)
(Houses of worship will toll their bells throughout the City)
Introduction of the reading of the names
Parents and grandparents begin reading of names in pairs

The names will be read by parents and grandparents related to those lost

Each reader will read approximately 14 names

There will be 100 pairs (200 readers) who will continue until all names are read

8:47 AM

Families may begin to descend ramp to the lowest level of the site where they can lay flowers.

9:03 AM

Moment of silence (observance of time second plane struck South Tower)
Reading of names continues/music resumes

9:59 AM

Moment of silence (observance of time of fall of the South Tower)
Reading of names continues/music resumes

10:29 AM

Moment of silence (observance of time of fall of the North Tower)
Reading of names continues/music resumes
Reading of names concludes
Taps performed by two trumpeters (NYPD and FDNY)
Final music performance
Program ends

An all-agency honor guard made up of individuals representing City, State, Federal and non-profit agencies including NYC Fire Department (FDNY), NYC Police Department (NYPD), Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) and representatives of the victim's families will participate in the ceremony.

Last year's commemoration ceremony focused on the children who lost loved ones; this year's ceremony will focus on parents or grandparents. Letters were mailed to family members this week asking them to suggest parents and grandparents for the reading of the names. Participants will be selected by lottery.